The Union Square shopping centre in Torquay, opened in 1982, was once the heart of the town’s retail scene. However, a profound shift in shopping habits over recent decades has left the centre nearly deserted.
Now, visitors hear only their own footsteps echoing down empty corridors, past shuttered shops like the old Wilko store, whose sign hangs forlornly above the entrance. A security guard lunches quietly amongst vacant units that just a year ago were still open. The exodus of high street retailers has cast Union Square into an eerie silence.
A handful of retailers—Peacocks, Greggs, Iceland, and The Entertainer—remain against the odds, existing in a retail twilight zone where the future seems uncertain at best. But change is imminent.
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Torquay Council is preparing to demolish much of Union Square and replace it with 99 new residential properties, a multi-million-pound project hailed as a potential “game-changer” for the area. This redevelopment marks a shift nationwide toward transforming traditional town centres into mixed-use spaces aimed at revitalizing local economies through residential and community-focused developments.
Upcoming renderings showcase vibrant cafés, green spaces, cycling routes, and pedestrian-friendly areas designed to foster social interaction. Yet not everyone is convinced by these designs. Dr. Rodney Horder from the Torquay Neighbourhood Forum criticized the architectural style as “reminiscent of post-war Stalinist buildings—more suited to 1950s Warsaw or Leningrad,” though the forum supports the proposal overall.
Committee chairman Martin Brook expressed excitement: “We have had a high street that has just been deteriorating, and if we don’t do something, that just carries on. When I look at this plan—it’s going to bring millions back into the town centre.”
Public opinion online is divided—some demand more shops rather than housing, while others recognize the necessity of restructuring amid evolving shopping trends, out-of-town retail, and the rise of online markets.
Visits to Union Square and the nearby Pannier Market paint a picture of mixed emotions among locals. Jenny Prater appreciates the convenience of existing stores like Iceland but worries about losing local shops and the challenges linked to social housing. Ciara Brown, a longtime visitor, fondly remembers a bustling town centre but fears the shift toward housing may move vitality away from the town core, especially as issues like drug use and homelessness present challenges.
The planning committee has approved partial demolition of Union Square and nine surrounding shops, alongside renovations to the historic Pannier Market. While some express dissatisfaction, yearning for traditional market offerings like butchers and fishmongers, market stall owners defend the space and advocate for more promotion to increase visitor numbers.
Longtime business owners are optimistic that redevelopment can breathe new life into the area. Christine Dawson from Forum Deli stresses the need to balance new development with affordable local shops and improved parking, which she sees as critical to supporting the community’s return to the town centre.
As Torquay faces a crossroads between preserving its retail past and embracing a residential future, the success of Union Square’s transformation hinges on thoughtful planning, community engagement, and investment in local infrastructure.